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Seventy-eight dogs were found roaming free in a filthy house on the 700 block of El Monte, San Diego Humane Society Chief Stephen MacKinnon said. San Diego Humane Society was called to help with handling the rescue effort.

"This is one of the worse cases of animal hoarding," a San Diego Humane Society worker told FOX 5.

"Our primary concern is to determine and address what their medical and rehabilitation needs will be (and to) make them as comfortable as possible as they settle into our care," said Jennifer Brehler, chief operations officer for the agency.

The person identified as the owner of the dogs was cooperating with authorities, Pecsi said.

Majority of the dogs were Chihuahua-terriers -- some were pregnant, MacKinnon said. The owner of the dogs has relinquished all of the animals to the humane society.

The dogs will be medically evaluated by San Diego Humane Society and will eventually be available for adoption.